Forensic Science

What is the NIBIN?
It is The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, which is a computer network used to have images of recovered ballistic evidence.
2. What is rifling? What two types of markings does this produce?
Rifling is given spiral grooves by the manufacturer. The two types are grooves and lands.
3. What is a distance determination? How is this done?
The process of estimating the distance between where a shot is fired and its target. It is done by looking at the patterns of powder residue and the shot pattern.
4. What is the Greiss Test?
A test that uses chemicals to help develop gun powder residue patterns.
5. When a bullet is retrieved, how is it marked for identification purposes? What should be avoided?
It is usually marked with the investigators’ initials. You should not mark the sides of the bullet and make sure that the mark doesn’t cover any striations or markings on the bullet.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. If you found a firearm at a crime scene, what steps would you take in order to transport the weapon to the lab?
I would pick it up by the trigger (and make sure that I am not potentially harming any evidence) and transport it as carefully and safely as I can.
Why do you think it might be useful to know the distance between a gun fired and its target?
In order to know where a person was standing when the gun was fired and if a person’s story adds up. Also in order to find where the shooter was standing or where they were in case they might be by a camera.
3. If you were in charge of retrieving bullets at a crime scene, what steps would you take to retrieve a bullet and take it to the crime lab?
I would find a way to preserve the bullet without harming the evidence. Then place the bullet in a marked container as well as then transport the bullet to a crime lab. Where the bullet will be wrapped in tissue paper and placed in an envelope.
4. What are some of the challenges in analyzing tool marks?
It is hard to duplicate the tool marks that left by the tools.
5. Why might it be important for a forensic scientist to determine the distance from a gun to a shooter?
It is an important tool in confirming someone’s story. Like if they say they shot in self-defense and the man was 100 ft away with no weapon while he was shot.